We’ll do our Stacey West Awards separately, because we thought it was right to put out the Player of the Season in his own right.
There are so many Player of the Season Awards these days, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Once upon a time, the Vic Withers Trophy was the benchmark, but now it seems the Player of the Season is the one the club pick at their awards dinner. Was it Sonny Bradley? He got the awards dinner nod and the 617 award. Conor McGrandles got Player’s Player of the Season, as well as the Vic Withers, so are they level?
If so, is our award the tipping point? Probably not, but ours is based on something other than votes. Ours is based on the ratings you give to the players over the course of a full season. Lincoln City played 54 matches in league and cup, and for each and every one, you guys rated the players.
After all of that, who got the Player of the Season? There is a caveat: the player has to have played in 70% of the matches he is eligible for, so a player like Zach Jeacock, who was excellent in his cup games, can’t get Player of the Season. His rating across his seven outings was 7.40, which would have him third in the overall table.
However, he did not come third as he did not play a majority of matches. With that in mind, here are your runners-up for Stacey West Lincoln City Player of the Season.
Third: Adam Reach (7.39)
One player we should have no concerns over in the coming season is Reach, who showed his class throughout his time on the field. He’s best remembered for his outrageous goal against Huddersfield, tapping in from three yards to get us back in the game. I think he scored against Barnsley as well, but I can’t quite place it.
It wasn’t just his goals, but his ability to get up and down the flank, defend diligently, but offer some real grace and ability in attack. How often did we see him drifting past House, Hackett or Moylan on the overlap and delivering a ball? Or threading one through a couple of defenders to pick out a clever run?
There were 13 players on 7.00 or more this season, and with 7.39, Adam Reach is third in your player of the season voting.
Second: Sonny Bradley (7.48)
Imagine being Wycombe Wanderers, releasing both last summer. Doh!
I suppose giving Bradley second place, or rather rating him second throughout the season, is a bit like when the Official Chart Countdown named ‘Roll With It’ number two in 1996. You know what is coming next, but let’s enjoy Sonny for now.
He’s been the captain without the armband, helping Tendayi Darikwa with his leadership. He’s put his head where others wouldn’t, blocked and tackled like he’s 25, and been one of the key reasons we’ve kept so many clean sheets.
He’s a worthy runner-up and a worthy winner of the main award. So many are, aren’t they? However, only one person can win. In the meantime, here are the top six qualifying players, rated by you week in, week out, as the best for Lincoln City in 2025/26, less your winner.
We’ll try to be a tiny bit suspenseful.
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| 🥈 Bradley | 7.48 |
| 🥉 Reach | 7.39 |
| Moylan | 7.36 |
| Hamer | 7.35 |
| Darikwa | 7.32 |
Fully deserved and in my opinion should have been in the team of the season.